Overhead switching system



00ft M, 1952 R. w. DONALDSON El AL 2,514,179

OVERHEAD SWITCHING SYSTEM Filed March 1. 1949 2 Sl-IEETS--SHEET 1 INVENTORS. Raymond W. Donaldson Warren J. Lewis Attorney.

Oct. M, 195 R. w. DONALDSQN -E'IZAL 2,614,179

OVERHEAD SWITCHING SYSTEM Filed March 1, 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INSULAT 36 26 IIIIIIIIIIII lilww l nu l i 3 L "In! INVENTORS. Raymond W. Donaldson Warren J.Lewis l/ Patented Oct. 14, 1952 2,614,179 4 OVERHEAD SWITCHING SYSTEM V I Raymond W. Donaldson, Lexington, and Warren 1 J. Lewis, Mansfield, Ohio, assignors to The Ohio 7 Brass Company, Mansfield, Ohio, a corporation of new Jersey 7 Application March 1, 1949, Serial No. 78,958

7 Claims.

This invention relates to trolley bus systems and in particular to systems for operating .the frogs or switches at turn-outs fromv astation in the bus.

The object of this, invention is to simplify the present systems of frog control by which the two or three contactors now required are reduced to the use of a single vcontactor and in which the frogs may be" operated without interfering with the operationof the vehicle motors as for instance cutting off the power thereto in order to operate the frogso'r closing the motor controller to operate the' frog when it is'not advisable to energize the motorJ- Y The system also provides forcontinuous trolley wires and not wires inwhich-there is ,an insulated section ore. dead section, and further provides a system'which does not-require the skill of the vehicleop'eratorrinso positioning the bus that the current collector headsmust engage the contactors in a certain manner in order to secure proper operation of the frogs;

This invention is an improvementwith respect to the systems disclosed in a copending application, Serial Number 77,208, filed by the party Donaldson, February 18, 1949.

Fig. 1 shows our improved invention with the several members shown. schematically.

Fig. 2 shows in partial sectionthe current collector head shown schematicallyinFig, 1.

Fig. 3 shows how the current collector head and the contactor, shown schematically in Fig. 1, cooperate.

Fig. 4 shows a top plan view of the operating mechanism of the frogsv disclosed schematically in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 the system shows two-main trolley wires I and 2, and branch wires 3 and 3" from the main wires respectively, anda trolley frog at each junction of a main and branch wire.

The frogs 4 and 5 are of the electrically operated mechanically reset'type in which the electric operation of each frog is effected by a single coil 6 and 1 respectively which moves the pivotally mounted frog tongues 8 and 9 from a main line position to a branch position, and a mechanical reset mechanism including a latch Ill and II respectively whereby the-tongues are returned to their main line position when the latch is engaged by a current collector head after passing tongues 8 and 9 respectively.

One form of a mechanically reset frog is disclosed in U. S. Patent 2,299,914 and also by the operating mechanism in Fig. 4 hereof. No claim is made for the construction of the type of frog used in our improved system other than as one of the members of our improved system;-

Positioned on the main trolley wire I, fully in advance of the. associated frog 4, 1519,2011 tactor [2 with blades 12' which are electrically connected together (Fig. 3) but insulated'from the trolley wire, and the contactor is connected to the coils 6 and? by the conductorl3 and the coils in turn are electrically connected to the trolley wire 2 either directly by the conductor I3 or through the medium of the frog 5.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the tongue operating mechanism for the reset frog is the same, for both frogs 4 and 5 and is described with respect to frog 4 which comprises lever a secured to the frog tongue 8 by means .of the pin a to "operate the tongue from eithersposition to its other position when the lever a is moved.

The reset latch H3 is pivotally mounted on the cross member b (Fig-*1) of the frog pan b (hidden in Fig. 4) and adjacent to the arm c of the frog pan, and a lever dis secured to the latch ID by means of the pindfwhereby the latch l0 and lever 01 will move simultaneously when either is moved. i.

The levers a and d are'pivotally connected adjacent their free ends to links e which haveinterposed therebetween a plunger or armature 7, the movement of which in one direction is controlled by the single operating coil 6. The plunger. f is reciprocally mounted in the coil 6.

The lever ais extended and its free end engages with the pivotally mounted spring held latch g which yieldingly holds the operating mechanism and tongue in either position. The reset latch Ill therefore has two positions as shown in Fig. 4 by the full (If!) and dottedflll) lines. In Fig. 1 the reset latches Ill-ll are shown only in one position corresponding tothe setting of the tongues 8 and Qrespectively.

The tongues 8 and 9 are usually set for main line operation as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and the operating coil of frogs 4 and 5 respectively may be connected in parallel as shownin Fig. 1 which in turn are electrically connected to'the contactor l2 and to the trolley wire 2 of,opposite polarity to that of trolley wire I or the coils may be connected in series as well known to those Thus the latch I (and II of Fig. 1) will be engaged by the fiange on a passing current collector and returned to its normal (full line) position and in so moving, the links and levers of the mechanism are moved and the tongue returned to the main line position, which takes place after the trolley head has passed the tongue.

It will be evident that the tongues are moved electrically from one position to their other position and returned to their first or normal position mechanically, as set forth in U. S. Patent 2,299,914, as previously stated.

The trolley bus B is provided with a motor I4 and controller I5 therefor. The bus is also provided with a pair of trolley poles I5 and IT, each with a current collector head X or Y respectively, hereinafter described, mounted on the upper end of the trolley poles and each head provided with a current collector I8 or I9 respectively, as per Fig. 1.

One head X is provided with metallic ring-like connecting means 20 which is insulated from the associated current collector head and current collector, and it is this connecting means 20 which engages the blades I2 of the contactor and energizes the same, whereby the operating coils of the frog operating mechanism are energized to effect operation of the said mechanism and move the frog tongues regardless of the lateral movement of the bus relative to the trolley wires at the time the connecting means engages the contactor.

The bus is equipped with circuits, one for controlling the motor operation and the other for controlling the operation of the frogs by first energizing the contactor I2. The motor circuit is controlled by the controller I5 and the frog operating mechanism is controlled by a normally open but manually closable switch 2 I, as to movement of the frog tongues from their normal position.

The switch 2I including the holding and releasing means is disclosed in the co-pending application of Donaldson before referred to, Serial Number 77,208, filed February 8, 1949; hence, applicants do not herein claim the originality of the same.

The switch 2I may be of the push-button type and is provided with two connecting bars 22 and 23 and with a holding and releasing mechanism including catch 24 and a yieldable latch 24' to hold the switch 2| closed after being manually closed, until the coil 25 is energized to automatically effect release of the connecting bars 22 and 23 from their closed position.

The holding and releasing mechanism is so constructed that when the switch is operated to its closed position, the latch 24' will be momentarily depressed against spring 24" as a result of the engagement of the catch 24 with the latch 24 and when the catch has passed the latch 24 the latch will spring back and engage the catch 24 on its opposite side from that shown and remain so until the coil 25 is energized thereby retracting the latch and releasing the switch.

The switch 2I is provided with a dash-pot mechanism 25 or other retarding mechanism which normally holds the switch open and effects slow opening of the switch after the coil 25 is energized and the holding mechanism released.

The motor control circuit consists of the conductor 26 from the current collector I8, controller I5, motor I4, and conductor 21 which connects to the current collector I9.

The contactor energizing circuit consists of the 4 conductor 26 from current collector I 8, conductor 28, coil 25, bar 22, and conductor 29 which connects to connecting means 20.

It will be noted that the current collector I8 and the connecting means 20 are of the same polarity, hence there is no danger of a short circuit occurring between those two elements at any time, which is an improvement over the copending Donaldson application already referred to.

By introducing the switch 2| into the circuit to control the energization of the contactor, control of the movement of the frog tongues is accomplished by the operator from a station in the bus and he is free to close the switch 2I at any time before the connector engages a contactor if he wishes to change the position of the fro tongues. The switch 2I will remain closed until the connecting means engages the contactor and may be arranged to remain closed for a time thereafter on account of the retarding action of the dash-pot which permits the coils 6 and I to receive energizing current for a time after the initial engagement between the connecting means and the contactor as the bus moves forward. The use of the retarder 25 is optional.

If the operator does not wish tochange the position of the frog tongues, he merely proceeds without closing the switch 2I.

To notify the operator that the switch is closed, the signal light 30 or other means may be employed. The light is shown as connected to the conductor 28 by the switch bar 23 and to-the conductor 21 with a resistance 3I in series as the line potential is usually about 600 volts and the lights are made for much lower voltage.

The system above described requires no cutting or breaking the continuity of the trolley wires at or adjacent the contactor I2 or of depriving the motor of current at any time the frog operating circuit is closed, the two circuits acting independently.

It is not necessary to pre-position the bus with respect to the contactor so long as the current collector heads remain in position on the trolley wires and the only requirement is for the bus operator to close the switch 2| prior to the connecting means engaging the contactor.

We use the same current collector or trolley head as disclosed in the aforesaid co-pending Donaldson application and make no claim therefor and the same is disclosed herein in Figs. 3 and 4, and shown schematically in Fig. 1.

The head comprises a bowl-shaped member 22 shown as formed preferably of sheet metal and havinga inner portion 33 and an outer portion 34 with a projecting portion 35 to receive the end of the trolley polt I6 whereby the head is supported. Insulation 36 is interposed between the member 35 and pole I6 which not only insulates the head electrically from the pole but absorbs vibration.

Mounted on the member 32 is a substantially vertical stud 31 with a flaring upper end having an inner concave spherical bearing surface 33 and an outer spherical bearing surface 39 parallel to the surface 38. Mounted on the surface 38 is the current collector I8 with a spherical portion mounted on and conforming to the bearing surface 38 and provided with a groove for the trolley wire I.

To hold the current collector I8 in place, a circular member II is provided with a lip which engages the outer spherical bearing surface 39 and having oppositely disposed openings to receive the screws 42. This secures the current collector H3 (Fig 1) to the headX so that the currentcollector may rotate in a plane substantially at right. angles to the longitudinal axis of the stud 31 which is a plane corresponding under normal operation to the plane of thecontactor blades [2; the member 4| is provided with a transverse slot 43 parallel to the groove 40 which permits the current collector to swivel in a plane corresponding substantially to the said axis of the stud 31. I i

The head X is provided with a metallic ringlike connecting means surrounding the head and insulated from the members. 33 and 34, hence from the head by the insulating means44 and both the connecting means 20 and the insulating means 44 are supported by the bowl-shaped member 32. The portion 33 is formed with a flange 45 which when pressed into place against the insulating means 44 insures the parts 20 and 44 moving with the head.

The metallic ring-like connecting means 20 projects only a sufficient amount from the head to insure its engaging the contactor blades. l2 (Fig. 3) without interferin with the overhead in case of dewirement. The conductor 29 connectsto the connectin means, 20 and the conductor 26 to the head 32. v

The head Y is of the same construction as the head X but with the members 20 and 44 omitted.

Fig. 3 shows an end view of the collector head passing through the contactor I2 and shows the engagement between the blades [2' and the collecting means 20.

What we claim as new and desire to protect is seen further in the following claims.

1. In a control system for a pair of trolley frogs each provided with a tongue operable to two positions and positioned at the junction of a pair of trolley wires of opposite polarity in an overhead system, a branch trolley wire from each main wire, in combination, a contactor associated with one of the main trolley wires in spaced and insulated relation thereto, connectin means associated with a current collector on an electrically operated vehicle and arranged to engage the contactor, electric operating means for the frogs connected between the contactor and the other trolley wire and operable to change the normal setting of the frog tongues to their other position, a motor control circuit on the vehicle and a second control circuit on the vehicle including a normally open manually closable switch provided with means to hold the switch closed until the connectingmeans engages the contactor and time delay mechanism to retard the rate of openin of the switch after the connecting means engages the contactor, the last said control circuit connecting the said connecting means and the associated current collector whereby the polarity of the connecting means and of the current collector will be the same and the same as the main trolley wire with which the contactor is associated and further the contactor will be energized at the same polarity as the main wire with which the contactor is associated when the connecting means engages the contactor while the control switch is closed.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 and the combination therewith of electrically controlled means associated with the holding means to automatically release the switch holdingmeans when the connecting means engages the contactor.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the motor control circuit and the second control circuit are so related that they are operably independent of each other and unaffected by the energization of the other. e

4. A control system for ajpai'r of trolley frogs provided with guide tongues movable to either of two positions and located at the intersection of a pair of main andbranch trolley wires comprising, a contactor associated with one of the main trolley wires and wholly in advance of the frogs and insulated from the trolley wire, connecting means associated with one of a pair of current collectorsin insulated relation thereto and arranged to engagethe contactor, the our rent collectors'mounted on an electrically operated trolley bus,,combined electrically and mechanically operable means to actuate the frogs, the electrically operable means vconnected to the contactor and to the other main trolley wire, the electrical and the mechanical frog actuating means are each operable ,to change .theposition of the tongues to opposite positions, amotorcontrol circuit and a frogcontrol circuit independent of the motorcontrol circuit both circuits associated with the trolley bus and the circuits provided with independent control switches, the frog control circuit electrically connecting the said connecting means to the associated current collector when the frog control switch is closed whereby the connecting means will be energized to the same polarity as the associated current collector and the contactor will be energized accordingly when engaged by the connectin means and the frog control switch is closed, the said control circuits and switches being so connected and related that they are energizable independently of each other and each circuit unaffected by the energization of the other circuit, the switch for the frog control circuit being normally open and manually closable, thefrog control switch provided with holding means to hold the switch closed when manually closed, the holdin means provided with actuating means to release the switch from its closed position when the connecting means engages the contactor.

5. A control system for a pair of trolley frogs provided with guide tongues movable to two positions and positioned at the intersection of a pair of main and branch trolley Wires, the main trolley wires being of opposite polarity comprising, a contactor associated with one of the main trolley wires in spaced and insulated relation to the trolley wire and a connecting means associated with one of a pair of cur-rent collectors mounted on an electrically operated trolley coach to enage the contactor, electrically operable means for the frogs electrically connected to the contactor and to the other main trolley wire and operable to change the position of the frog tongues from their normal position to their other position, a motor control circuit and a frog control circuit, both circuits associated with the coach and non-afiected by the energization of the other circuit and each circuit provided with a separate control switch whereby the circuits may be energized independent of the other circuit, the switch for the frog control circuit being normally open and manually closable and provided with releasable holding means to maintain the switch closed after manually closing and electrically controlled means associated with the holding means to release the holding means when the connecting means engages the contactor whereupon the control switch returns to its normal open position, the frog control circuit electrically connecting the saidconnecting means and the associated current collector whereby the connecting means will be energized according to that of the current collector and the same as the main trolley wire associated with the contactor and the cont-actor will be energized and have the same polarity as that of the associated trolley wire when the connecting means engages the contactor while the control switch in the frog control circuit is closed.

6. The combination in a control system for a trolley frog provided with electrically operable means to control the movement of the fro tongue to one position and mechanically operable means associated with the electrically operable means to effect the return of theirog tongue to its first position, of a c-ontactor, a connecting means on a current collector head mounted on an electrically operable bus, the connecting means being insulated from the current collector head and arranged to engage the contactor, a pair of independently functioning control circuits on the vehicle, one circuit controlling the energization of the vehicle motor and the other circuit controlling the energization of the connecting means from the associated current collector, independently operable and normally open switch means in each control circuit and operable from a station in the vehicle to control the energization of either circuit independently of the other, and mechanically controlled holding means to maintain the switch means for the said other circuit closed after being closed by the vehicle operator until the connecting means engages the contactor, electrically controlled means associated with the holding means to effect release of the holding mean when the connecting means and the contactor engage. I

7. A control system constructed according to claim 6 having in combination therewith, means to delay the opening of the frog control switch for a predetermined time after the connecting means engages the contactor.

RAYMOND W. DONALDSON.

WARREN J. LEWIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,396,690 Mikulic Nov. 8, 1921 2,299,882 Donaldson Oct. 27, 1942 2,299,914 Matthes Oct. 27, 1942 2,523,112 Hanna et a1 Sept. 19,1950 

